GREENVILLE, Ky. (5/13/13) – Motorists who refuse to wear their seat belts – beware. The 2013 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization kicks off May 20 to help save lives by cracking down on those who don’t buckle up. Greenville Police Department is joining with other state and local law enforcement officers and highway safety advocates across the country to help save more lives by strongly enforcing seat belt laws around the clock.

“Too many drivers and passengers on the road are not wearing their seat belts, and it all too often ends in tragedy,” said Chief Darren Harvey. “Our goal is to save more lives, so officers will be out enforcing seat belt laws – day and night.”

While seat belt use is at a record high of 86 percent nationwide, Kentucky lags behind with an 83 percent usage rate. There were 746 total highway fatalities in Kentucky in 2012, with 670 killed in motor vehicles. Of those 670 fatalities, 53.6 percent were not wearing a seat belt. Even though this year’s Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization runs through Memorial Day weekend, motorists should know that officers are out enforcing seat belt and other traffic laws year-round.

Greenville Police Department will also be conducting random traffic safety check points throughout the remainder of the year. Officers will be observing for proper restraint use, impaired drivers, and other traffic violations. A list of check point locations is available at the Greenville Police Department.

“Those who choose not to wear a seat belt will feel the heat from our officers who will be out cracking down on Click It or Ticket violators. Motorists should buckle up every time they go out, both day and night,” said Chief Harvey. “Our officers are prepared to ticket anyone not buckled up…no warnings and no excuses. Click It or Ticket.”